RENGALI (SAMBALPUR):A Harsh summer awaits water-stressed Rengali block in the district with monsoon playing truant last year. While drought situation aggravated the struggle of farmers with crop loss due to scanty rainfall and pest attack, it is now womenfolk who are gearing up to arrange water ahead of summer.
Ironically, long neglect of traditional water harvesting structures (TWHS), which have little or no water in it, are going to add to their woes. The water bodies had not been given enough attention. The problem afflicting the traditional water resources comes to the fore only during summer when tall promises are made for its restoration and revival only to take a back seat at the arrival of monsoon.In fact, TWHS, besides meeting the water needs for domestic chores, was providing irrigation to agriculture long back. But its neglect over the years saw the water quality deteriorating thus distancing people from it.
Even though there are 337 TWHS in 16 gram panchayats under the block, 90 per cent of water bodies are of no help to the residents during summer. While some among them dry up completely, a few others have some water left but are unfit for human use. Yet, in the absence of any other water source, some villages are forced to use the water for daily ablution and domestic chores. Although the Government has constructed many water harvesting structures, it has either been wrongly planned or the choice of location is bad. As a result, it has become a source of earning money for contractors and block officials.
Even as harvesting of rainwater has been there since long, apathy of the administrative authorities has taken a toll on the TWHS. No work on the water body at Tamperkela village has been taken up for more than 40 years. Similar is the plight of Bhuemunda Kata in Tabdabahal panchayat, Goudpada Kata in Barahdungri, Mudubandh, Dhubabandh, Kesribandh and Gudibandh in Laida, Mana Kata in Katarbaga and Bhulia Kata in Bhuliatikra. The villagers do not remember when work on its restoration was last done and even the model water harvesting structure of the State Government in Laida village has gone dry.
While only a few people are evincing interest to get enrolled under MGNREGS, it acts as an impediment to take up restoration work as use of equipment and machines is prohibited under the scheme.Block Development Officer (BDO) Bernadet Lakra said renovation of TWHS is being undertaken as and when they are getting funds for the purpose from all sources. She said work on TWHS will be taken up in a phased manner, but is unsure when it will be completed.